Tiamat and Luna

At dawn the following day, Zariel sat in meditation overlooking the city below, covered by the morning dew; his eyes stood clamped shut, but his spirit soared, becoming lost in the intricate web of the Weave he'd recently divided between Order and Chaos.

Zariel's thin lips tightened, and he opened his eyes, consumed in befuddlement. It hadn't mattered how long he had spent in meditation. Zariel had discovered a limit he'd reach: A limitation that was arising not only physically but also spiritually.

Confusion swelled, as all his life, he'd been able to grasp in some small degree high-level spells or techniques. Even while the Heavens restricted his ability to use the elements, Zariel could still understand its flow.

He frowned, rose to his feet, skimmed his silvery eyes over the city, slowly awakening, and left the balcony before cleaning away the morning dew with an hour-long shower. A bit of a smile found its way onto his lips. Having found joy in purity.

"Guess it's time I go." He mused lightly, dawning a white tunic over black trousers, and fastened his sword onto his back when a sudden knock took him by surprise.

"It's open," Zariel sounded, unlocking the door with his mind.

"Master, how could you!" Ella cried with large crystal tears in her eyes. " I—"

"I'm about to leave the academy for a bit. Two hours maybe ten. Want to come?" He invited, staring as joy overcame the little druid. She almost jumped in shock.

"Really!"

Zariel hummed and walked past Ella, closing the door on his way out. "Yes. Let's go. There's something I'd like to check out."

'But Aurelia is still is in—"

"I asked you not, Aurelia," Interrupted Zariel. "Or would you rather end up dead by her hand due to her reckless disregard for others?"

"Surely it's not so—"

"If you don't want to come, I'll go on my own." Zariel curtly mentioned, making his way through the academy walls with a huff till he made it outside. Ella had followed, but a bit of curiosity was burning from her gaze. Zariel had noted it but could not be bothered to explain himself. He only reached out his hand for her to take it.

"Going somewhere, Mr. Snow? And after all the trouble I've made for you? Where might I ask is our great professor going?"

"Aldrich,' Zariel whispered to himself, raising his voice for the Lord who approached on horseback, covered in a bit of perspiration on his brow. " You look like shit, smell like it even."

"I was on a hunt, I'm afraid. Such lovely creatures live out in the wilderness. We should go for a hunt sometime. There is just so much to talk about. Like your Master, perhaps?"

Astral Qi pulsed from Zariel, propelling him to hover off the surface of Alos as he met with Aldrich piercing sharp eye."I see no problem with that, although I find my taste in beast rather refined."

"But of course. I'll speak with the Dean to organize a hunt." Aldrich said, trotting his horse with a smile over his charming features, and waved, "See you soon, Professor."

Zariel's lips twitched. "He seems far too lax. Hmm, I could learn a thing or two from him. Age-old gods act far different."

'He's kind of cute,' Ella said, grabbing Zariel's hands as he pulled her far into the skies. "Who is he?"

Winds billowing, Zariel shrugged, " An enemy, a friend, and a rival. Honestly, I don't know yet. All that's important is that he's dangerous. Although if you like, you can… what is the word, again? Bang him?"

"Master!" squealed Ella, clapping her hands over the back of Zariels head, taking him by surprise. " Who do you take me for?"

'Did I say something wrong?' The Silver Devil thought, leaving Trinity towards the south.

Puffing her somewhat flushed cheeks, she sighed, "Your really something, Master. How is it you can't grasp…Oh, forget it. Where are we going?"

"To the Temple of Lunafreya," Zariel replied, "The supposed daughter to darkness, Tenebrae. All around the Exalted Wheel, there exist temples for these nomads."

"I've never heard of them,' Said Ella softly, looking down, causing waves of nausea to swell within her stomach. ' Are they like Azalea?"

Zareil chuckled. "Well, they are gods, but they are far stronger. The Knights of Luna rarely interfere in worldly things. As for why I couldn't tell you." he paused and opened his palm as a map appeared in his hand. "And hour, let's cut that down to half an hour."

'EH?"

Acana swelled around Zariel as he applied Astral force to his body and burrowed through the winds like a mighty dragon as Ella howled.

"Slow down, slow down!" Cried the little princess loudly, screaming from her lungs, but she was only met with childlike laughter as Zariel picked up speed.

—

By the time the Silver Devil landed, Ella was already on the ground, kissing the earth with large pools of tears, " Gods, never again! Never again! First that damn Griffen, now this. Gods, Never again!"

"Zero is going to be mad for coming here without backup, but I have a few questions. I hope this works. I rarely call upon gods." Zariel remarked hesitantly, eying the somewhat torn temple that appeared to have deteriorated over time.

Sensing no life from the run-down temple, Zariel cuffed his hands and entered, hopping over the stairs that had seen better days. He stepped inside, noticing holes beneath his feet and along the ceiling that allowed light to burrow in.

Maneuvering around the temple, Zariel slowly came upon a small sigil of the moon, situated where an old stone statue depicting a woman stood. The face looked destroyed, standing on one leg while its arms lay elsewhere.

"This should be enough," Zariel muttered, pushing out his senses as rift energy rippled out from the stature. "Sorry, luna, but I'm not here to talk to you. Not that you'd answer anyway." Lifting his hands together to offer a prayer, he spoke calmly. " Tiamat."

Ella's eyes went wide as words came blurting out. "My god! Can you be more disrespectful? Who comes to a temple to pray to another god!"

"Is this wrong too?"